Taking Better Family Photos

Adopted children represent about 2% of the U.S. child population under the age of 18. If you are planning to adopt in the near future, you likely want to cherish each moment with your new child. Just as birth parents want photographs of their newborn in the hospital, adoptive parents want to be able to capture their newborn's first moments of life on film as well.

Here are three tips you can use to ensure that you are able to get great hospital photos of your adopted newborn.

1. Be sure that you get permission from hospital administration to bring a photographer into your birth mother's room.

Some people are surprised to learn that there are many rules and regulations that govern the taking of photographs. Since hospitals are considered private property, you must have permission from the hospital administration to bring a photographer on the grounds.

If you want to capture your adopted newborn's first moments, be sure that you meet with a hospital administrator and let him or her know of your plans. Obtaining permission prior to taking photographs will eliminate potential conflict when your baby arrives, and allow you to get the images you desire without interference.

2. Be sure to find a photographer who is willing to be on-call. 

The birth of a child cannot be scheduled like a traditional family portrait. If you want to have a photographer in the room during your adopted child's birth, it's important that you find a photographer who is willing to be on-call.

Be prepared to pay a premium if your child is born during the night or on a weekend, since these are not times when a photographer would traditionally be working.

3. Plan to be sensitive to the birth mother's feelings.

Newborn photography for adopted babies comes with some unique challenges. Discuss your plans to have a photographer take photos of the newborn with the birth mother to ensure she is comfortable having a stranger in the room. 

After the birth, the birth mother may be feeling grief over the impending loss of her child. The surrendering of a child can elicit feelings of shock, grief, or denial. It's important that you are prepared to deal with these emotions, and that you instruct your photographer to be sensitive to the birth mother's feelings as well. Ask your photographer to save any family photos with your new child for a setting outside the view of the birth mother to protect her from unnecessary emotional pain. 

Capturing the first moments of your adopted child's life is important. To ensure that you get successful newborn photos in the hospital make sure you clear your plans with hospital administration, hire a photographer willing to be on-call, and be sensitive to the birth mother's feelings when taking photographs.